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Hi I thought your comment about "the story is most powerful when it exerts a metaphoric power, quite different from the claim to truth" was very useful, true and interesting. I'm not sure, however, that case studies are always, or indeed often, used in this way. The literature seems to imply a range of different approaches, from using cases in developing cognitive (knowledge retention, knowledge application, problem solving) and affective skills (communication, group working) among others. A powerful story deepens understanding, for example, but may not assist in helping students to develop problem solving or analytical skills. What do other people think? Charles On Tue, 28 Sep 1999 15:25:10 +0500 "Mathai B. Fenn" <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hello everyone, > > I am new to this mailing list, so I thought I would introduce myself and > some of my concerns. I find that the case methods are similar to "Teaching > Stories" used in some other traditions of teaching, since the case study > method is always used to illustrate something. As an illustration it is > very useful, however, one wonders why there is a preference for "factual" > cases? Any relationship with reality would make it appear that the cases > have some explanatory power, to explain what really happened in a > particular situation. > > I for one believe that such an "explanation" is very limited in scope, an > understanding based on a sample size of ONE. Taking the analogy with > teaching stories further, one could perhaps appreciate the fact that the > story is most powerful when it exerts a metaphoric power, quite different > from the claim to truth. For example, the parables from the bible. When > asked who is my neighbour? The answer was given as the parable of the good > samaritan. Every time I read the story, I learn something new. Yet when I > read a factual account, unless there are gaps in the narrative, it is > hardly worth reading again and again. > > The power of the teaching story is in the fact that it may have something > to say about reality, but does not lay claim to be a historical account > itself. > > Mathai Baker Fenn > > ----------------------------------------------------------- > Dr. Mathai Baker Fenn > Assistant Professor, > (Oroganisational Behaviour and Marketing) > XLRI. Postbox 222, > Jamshedpur 831 001, > Bihar State, India > > > Website: (http://www.fenn.net/fenn.html) > E-mail: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------- Booth, Charles Email: [log in to unmask] "University of the West of England" %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%